Abbotsford and Mission public schools closed for instruction Tuesday

Abbotsford teachers took part in a series of rotating one-day strikes in late May and early June

Abbotsford and Mission public schools will be closed for instruction Tuesday, as no agreement has been reached between the government and the BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) over the ongoing labour dispute.

A letter from Kevin Godden, superintendent of Abbotsford schools, said that the BCTF and the BC Public School Employers’ Association (BCPSEA), bargaining on behalf of the government, were unsuccessful in reaching a negotiated settlement.

The letter states that they anticipate that teachers will not report to work and schools will be behind picket lines.

“This is disappointing news for our staff, and especially our students and families.”

About 40,000 public school teachers across the province went on strike in June.

Talks have been ongoing for the past few days between Jim Iker of BCTF and minister of education Peter Fassbender. Veteran mediator Vince Ready has been brought in to assist in the mediation, but he determined that the two sides were still too far apart at this point for meaningful negotiations.

Godden writes that all Abbotsford schools will be closed for instruction tomorrow and school district buses will not operate.

“Although principals and vice-principals will be in their schools, they are unable to provide students with instruction or supervision. We encourage families to make alternate arrangements for their children as necessary.”

The letter reminds parents that school district childcares and StrongStarts will be opened this coming week in Abbotsford, and to contact these sites directly to confirm their hours of operation. StrongStarts are not open in Mission.